Cialis shrink tumors

Reaearch from 2022

Academics at Southampton University found PDE5 inhibitors — the class of erectile dysfunction drugs that includes Viagra, Cialis and Levitra — make oesophageal tumors more vulnerable to chemotherapy. 

The drugs were found to target cancer-associated fibroblasts — cells that surround tumors, support their growth and help them build up resistance to chemo.

PDE5 inhibitor drugs relax the structure of the fibroblasts so they become floppy, meaning they can no longer help the tumor to thrive and grow. 

When the scientists tested PDE5 inhibitor drugs on oesophageal cancer cells in the lab and on mice, they found that chemo was effective in 75 percent of cases. 

For comparison, chemo usually only works in 20 per cent of oesophageal cancer patients.